Flexibility device

ABSTRACT

A rod coupled to a rotating platform configured to permit a user to stretch in multiple directions and to multiple degrees. The rod passes from horizontal through vertical and back to horizontal for 180 degrees of movement. It is coupled to a base capable of rotating 360 degrees, allowing for motion in multiple planes. A secondary base plate can be bolted or otherwise affixed to a stable surface such as a floor or a wall for safety. The rod may include grip elements configured to aid the user in holding the rod. The device may include resistance elements for minor strength training benefits or to provide additional stability for the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to fitness, and more specifically to stretching and balancing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many stretching devices are static devices that require persons to enter the device and use static supports to create stretching maneuvers. For persons with limited mobility, such as those in physical therapy or the elderly, these devices are difficult to use at best, and may even create safety hazards upon entry or with use. The present invention aims to overcome this limitation by providing a variable position stretching and balancing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to fitness, and more specifically to stretching and balancing devices.

The present invention consists essentially of a base and a multi-axis rotating rod. The base may include two primary portions: a static lower base, and a rotatable upper base configured to rotate in 360 degrees. The bases may be joined by any means that permits 360 degree rotation, such as a swivel or a bearing and track system. The base may be configured to be fastened in place, in order to prevent the base from moving during use. The rod may be joined with the base by an axis or hinge that allows the rod to move from horizontal through vertical and to horizontal on the opposing side. The device may include resistance elements to provide additional stability or to add a light strengthening element to the exercise. The device may include a grip material disposed over some or all of the rod.

In addition to the foregoing, various other methods, systems and/or program product embodiments are set forth and described in the teachings such as the text (e.g., claims, drawings and/or the detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, embodiments, features and advantages of the device and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of one embodiment of the FLEXIBILITY DEVICE in the vertical position;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the FLEXIBILITY DEVICE in an angled position;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view thereof, showing base rotation of the FLEXIBILITY DEVICE;

FIG. 4 is a top close view showing the base rotation of the FLEXIBILITY DEVICE;

FIG. 5 is a side close view thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a side plan view showing another embodiment of the FLEXIBILITY DEVICE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates generally to fitness, and more specifically to stretching and balancing devices.

Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-6 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The present invention may have additional embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of the details described for any particular described embodiment, or may have any detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with any other detail described for another embodiment.

Importantly, a grouping of inventive aspects in any particular “embodiment” within this detailed description, and/or a grouping of limitations in the claims presented herein, is not intended to be a limiting disclosure of those particular aspects and/or limitations to that particular embodiment and/or claim. The inventive entity presenting this disclosure fully intends that any disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation ever presented relative to the instant disclosure and/or any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application (e.g. continuation, continuation-in-part, and/or divisional applications) may be practiced with any other disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation. Claimed combinations which draw from different embodiments and/or originally-presented claims are fully within the possession of the inventive entity at the time the instant disclosure is being filed. Any future claim comprising any combination of limitations, each such limitation being herein disclosed and therefore having support in the original claims or in the specification as originally filed (or that of any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application), is possessed by the inventive entity at present irrespective of whether such combination is described in the instant specification because all such combinations are viewed by the inventive entity as currently operable without undue experimentation given the disclosure herein and therefore that any such future claim would not represent new matter.

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of one embodiment of the flexibility device 100. The device consists essentially of a rod 101 and a base 102. In some embodiments, rod 101 is joined with base 102 via hinge 104. Hinge 104 may be any type of joint that permits rotation about at least one axis, such as an axel or a ball socket. See FIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, hinge 104 allows rod 101 at least or substantially 180 degrees of rotation. That is, rod 101 should be able to move from horizontal through vertical and back to horizontal on the opposite side of hinge 104. In some embodiments, the rotation may be slightly more than 180 degrees. For example, hinge 104 may be slightly elevated over or due to base 102, permitting the end of rod 101 to move below horizontal toward the ground or floor. In other embodiments, rod 101 may be limited in rotation such that it does not extend to full horizontal. These embodiments might be best suited for persons with weak muscle strength or balance problems, permitting them to stretch a significant amount without requiring them to control the rotation of rod 101 beyond a certain point. This will be discussed in further detail with FIG. 6. Rod 101 may be a substantially rigid material, such as metal or wood, in order to offer support for the exercises compatible with the invention. In some embodiments, rod 101 may include a grip material in order to further aid in the stability of the user. Alternatively, rod 101 may include dimples, bumps, striations, and the like to aid in the user's grip of the rod. While no particular length of rod 101 is required, it should be long enough that, at the vertical position, a user can grip the rod with their entire hand while standing erect, their hand extended horizontally from their shoulder.

In some embodiments, base 102 may include fastener holes 105. Fastener holes 105 may be disposed at any one of, two of, three of, our all four corners of base 102. In alternative embodiments, fastener holes 105 may be disposed on a portion of the device other than the corners of base 102, such as along one or more sides of base 102. A primary function of fastener holes 105 is to permit use of fasteners 106. Fasteners 106 are intended to provide lateral stability to base 102. For example, fasteners 106 may be disposed through base 102 via holes 105 and then coupled with a wall or floor, security base 102, and thus the entire device, to a particular location. This permits use of the device without risking base 102 moving in an unintended way, which could potentially cause injury to the user. While fastener holes 105 and fasteners 106 are explicitly named as a means for holding base 102 in position, it should be noted that other means, such as suction, could be used to achieve the same result. Moreover, it should be noted that fasteners 106 could be bolts, screws, rivets, toggle bolts, pegs, deco fasteners, and more.

Base 102 may, in some embodiments, be coupled with upper base 103. Upper base 103 may be configured to rotate through at least 180 degrees about a vertical axis, and, in preferred embodiments, through an entire 360 degrees or more. FIG. 3 shows rod 101 at an angle to the horizontal plane, and upper base 103 at an angle to lower base 102. By allowing rod 101 to move through substantially 180 degrees, and upper base through 360 degrees, the flexibility device permits a user 540 degrees of motion. This permits a high number of flexibility positions and movements, allowing a user to stretch, create strength in stabilizer muscles, improve balance, and more. FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of upper base 103 at an angle to lower base 102, while lower base 102 is held in place by fasteners 106. In some embodiments, the rotation of upper base 103 relative to lower base 102 is achieved by a rotation joint between the upper and lower bases. FIG. 5 shows one possible embodiment, wherein upper base 103 is disposed on a bearing system 107. In some embodiments, upper base 103 may be disposed on a plate that is coupled with the inner race of the bearing system, or the upper base itself may be coupled with the inner race of the bearing system. When the upper base 103 is rotated, the inner race moves along the bearings, while the lower base remains static. In other embodiments, upper base 103 and the inner race may be essentially a single unit, such that the inner race is formed by an extension of the upper base in proximity to or in contact with the bearings. In some embodiments, the outer race of the bearing system 107 may be coupled with lower base 102. Alternatively, a race may be disposed within base 102, such as a groove or channel cut into the base, to lower the over profile of the flexibility device.

Returning to FIG. 4, hinge 104 is also depicted, in this exemplary embodiment, as consisting of an axle system. The axle system includes a first plate 200, into which an optional groove 201 may be cut. When a user wishes to lock rod 101 in the vertical position, the end of the rod can be slid into groove 201. When a user wishes to be able to rotate rod 101 about the axis, the end of the rod can be slid out of groove 201, allowing free motion about axle 202. Axle 202 is disposed between plates 200 and 203, both of which are, in preferred embodiments, rigid and fixed in place on upper plate 103.

It should be noted that all elements of the device are substantially rigid. The device is intended to offer variable support for stretching and flexibility exercises, and the device must be appropriately rigid for that purpose. Furthermore, joints between the rigid elements should be assumed to comprise any reasonable joint for rigid materials. For example, hinge 104 may be comprised of an axle about which rod 101 is disposed via a hole in rod 101. Alternatively, hinge 104 may be a ball socket system, in which either the ball or the socket is disposed at the end of rod 101, and the other element of the system is disposed on or within upper base 103. In another example, bearing system 107 may be coupled with one or both of bases 102 and 103 via weld, adhesive, fasteners, or other mechanisms by which it is appropriate to join rigid or metallic elements.

FIG. 6 depicts rod 101 at an angle to base 102, with resistance elements 108. In some embodiments, resistance elements 108 may be configured to prevent rod 101 from reaching full horizontal position. In such embodiments, resistance elements 108 may be springs, breaks, stoppers, resistance bands, etc. In some embodiments, resistance elements 108 may be configured to increase the force necessary to move rod 101 from vertical to horizontal. In such embodiments, resistance elements 108 may be springs, resistance bands, coils, adjustable resistance springs, etc. Resistance elements 108 may be permanently coupled with the rod 101 and base 102, such as with welds, fasteners, or adhesives. In preferred embodiments, resistance elements 108 are removably coupled with the rod 101 and the base 102. For non-limiting example, resistance elements 108 may include hooks at both ends, and rod 101 and base 102 may include eyelets through which the hooks may be disposed. Alternatively, rod 101 and base 102 may include eyelets through which a resistance band can be tied. Rod 101 may include a portion over which a plate weight can be disposed, adding resistance to the end of rod 101 opposite base 102.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

1. A flexibility device, comprising: at least one rod; at least one base coupled with the at least one rod via at least one hinge, the at least one base including at least: an upper base coupled with the at least one rod; and a lower base, wherein the upper base and the lower base are coupled with a rotating joint, the rotating joint including a ball bearing track system, and wherein the at least one hinge is configured to permit at least 180 degrees of rotation from horizontal, through vertical, to horizontal on a second side of the at least one hinge. 2-3. (canceled)
 4. The flexibility device of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge comprises: at least one axle disposed between a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate are coupled with the at least one base.
 5. The flexibility device of claim 1, wherein the at least one rod includes at least some grip material disposed at an end of the rod distal to the at least one base.
 6. The flexibility device of claim 5, wherein the at least some grip material is a high friction material. 